staycation

American  

[stey-key-shuhn] / ˌsteɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. a vacation spent at home or near home, doing enjoyable activities or visiting local attractions.

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staycation British  

/ ˌsteɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. informal a holiday in which leisure activities are pursued while staying at one's own home

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Etymology

Origin of staycation

First recorded in 1940–45; stay ¹ + (va)cation

Explanation

A staycation is relaxing at home or in your own town over a break from work or school. If it's too expensive — or stressful — to go on a long road trip or fly somewhere and stay in hotels, your family might choose to staycation instead. The word staycation is a blend of stay and the last part of vacation. It’s a vacation where you stay at home. You might just hang around the house reading a good book or playing games. Or you might visit local sites that you never seem to have the time to go to — like the zoo, an amusement park, or a museum. Staycations can be a lot of fun, and relaxing, too, because you can avoid travel headaches (like flight delays) and sleep in your own bed every night.

Example Sentences

The mural was one of three painted in Lowestoft as part of Banksy's Great British Staycation collection, which appeared in different locations across Norfolk and Suffolk.

From BBC • May 23, 2023

The series Earshot streamed from Town Hall last spring picked up 200-400 viewers per show, and the Royal Room’s Staycation Festival last spring also did well, with one show bringing in a $1,000 donation.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 14, 2020

But also sort of not: There’s a free way to do every Staycation race—which, for the Stay Home series involves simply registering and running 5k, 10k, or a half marathon.

From Slate • May 27, 2020

Staycation: Bethesda-based RLJ Lodging Trust said it has acquired the 164-room Hyatt Place DC/Downtown/K Street for $68 million as it looks for the region’s hospitality market to rebound.

From Washington Post • Jul. 23, 2015

If you want to leave home but not the city, the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills is offering "405 Staycation" packages to help people escape the gridlock.

From Time • Jul. 15, 2011